Heading east out of Decatur on the NS, we encounter Madison then Huntsville. Madison includes a passing siding and a small storage track to aid in serving local industries, such as the Huntsville-Madison County Airport Authority Intermodal facility. Downtown Madison has some nice spots for photographing the NS.

At Huntsville there is a nicely restored station and small roundhouse facility which have been made into a museum.

NS local train A85 rolls though Belle Mina, AL at a good clip with a single box car (probably to allow them to run track speed).

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The Huntsville and Madison County Railroad keeps this switcher in reserve, probably as a backup for their main unit. It is usually stored near the corner of Bob Wallace and L&N Dr. on a small siding.

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The Huntsville and Madison County operates this switcher which is configured for remote control operation. It is seen here with a cut of cars heading south through Huntsville.

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Here the NARM's Alco S-2 and a short string of passenger cars is on display outside of Huntsville, AL. Check their site out for operation schedules.

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This locomotive is a military version of the Alco RSD-1 that is on display at the Huntsville Depot Museum. The TVA donated the engine to the museum. Special thanks to Jim Sims of The North Alabama Railroad Museum for the information on this unit.

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Here is a shot of the HMCR's lone SW9 with short train of just two cars heading in after a day of switching the south Huntsville, AL industrial area.

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The tri-weekly HMCR switcher heads south with three covered hoppers in tow in Huntsville, AL.

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HMCR 527, an ex-Burlington Northern NW2, seems to be retired, as it is kept stored beside a warehouse, perhaps to be used for parts.

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Here is a pair of Alco switchers on display at the Huntsville Depot Museum. The rear unit appears to be of U.S. Steel heritage.

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It's late afternoon as the crew of Norfolk Southern local freight A85 cruises across highway 20 with a lone SD40-2. This location is on the Madison branch line.

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The late afternoon sun casts long shadows as we continue to follow NS empty coal train westbound as they pass through Paint Rock, AL. This is one of my favorite shots of the day!

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As we continue to follow NS empty coal train 735 eastbound, we catch them heading past this old barn in Gurley, AL just east of Huntsville.

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Bringing up the rear of NS executive train 951 is this theater car. The train is seen heading east through Madison, AL.

An impromptu video I caught on the way home from work today (6-1-2012) of NS train 325 coming through historic downtown Madison, AL headed westbound. Of course, the clouds would come up just as I got ready to film!

HD Video Clip - Views: 1594 · Uploaded: June 01,2012

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows as we continue to follow NS empty coal train westbound as they pass through Paint Rock, AL.